5 burning questions facing the Carolina Panthers OL in 2021
By Dean Jones
Interior experience key for the Carolina Panthers?
Waiving undrafted free agent David Moore before he’d seen the field for a preseason snap is another strong indicator that the Carolina Panthers will go with experience on the interior offensive line in 2021.
The likes of Brady Christensen and Deonte Brown could become starters over time, but they’ve not been heavily involved when it comes to first-team reps during camp so far.
This leaves Carolina projected to go with John Miller and Pat Elflein as their starting guards, with Matt Paradis occupying the center position. Simply put, how they come together in the weeks ahead could be the difference between success and failure in this region.
Elflein was a top target for the Panthers in free agency, even though his production with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets over the last two seasons has been anything but remarkable.
Carolina brought back Miller on a team-friendly deal this offseason. This should keep some continuity on the right side after stud tackle Taylor Moton signed a bumper new deal just minutes before the deadline to extend players on the franchise tag.
Paradis showed some signs of life in 2020 after a dismal first season with the Panthers. He’ll have to raise his game again this time around in pursuit of earning an extended stay next spring.
Experience will only get you so far. So it’ll be interesting to see how this trio fares in the face of some stern competition.